expire

verb

ex·​pire ik-ˈspī(-ə)r 

 usually for intransitive sense 3 and transitive sense 2  ek-

expired; expiring

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to come to an end: such as

a

: to exceed its period of validity

The contract will expire next month.

b

: to pass its expiration date (see expiration date sense 2)

This milk has expired.

" … when drugs expire, you can't just leave these things lying around."

—Ed Haislmaier

3

: to emit the breath

transitive verb

1

obsolete : conclude

2

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

3

archaic : emit

Synonyms

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• dead-end
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• end
• finish
• go
• halt
• lapse
• leave off
• let up
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

Examples of expire in a Sentence

My driver's license has expired.

She expired after a long illness.

measuring the volume of air expired from the lungs

Recent Examples on the Web

After that expired, the Rangers signed him to a two-year deal. —Sam Blum, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024

The biggest offender is McAfee, which will nag you repeatedly after the short trial expires. —Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other GOP leaders held a press conference Tuesday morning with just 10 days left until government funding is set to expire. —The Hill Staff, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024

After the promotion expires, customers in the extended home delivery zone will see an extended range delivery fee. —Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Anglo-French espirer to breathe out, from Latin exspirare, from ex- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

expire

verb

ex·​pire ik-ˈspī(ə)r 

 usually for sense 3  ek-

expired; expiring

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to come to an end : be no longer in force

this offer expires March 1

my driver's license has expired

3

a

: to let the breath out

b

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

Medical Definition

expire

verb

ex·​pire

ik-ˈspī(ə)r, usually for vi 2 and vt ek-

expired; expiring

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to emit the breath

transitive verb

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

the basal metabolism test … measures the amount of carbon dioxide expired by the lungs

—J. D. Ratcliff